Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total AAR Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Capital Surplus	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at May. 31, 2011	$ 835,289	$ 835,845	$ 44,986	$ 423,805	$ 486,130	$ (100,431)	$ (18,645)	$ (556)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	55,016	54,844			54,844			172
Cash dividends	(9,068)	(9,068)			(9,068)
Exercise of stock options and stock awards	3,273	3,273		3,461		(188)
Tax benefit related to share-based plans	533	533		533
Restricted stock activity	7,103	7,103	(90)	(6,037)		13,230
Repurchase of shares	(3,659)	(3,659)				(3,659)
Unrealized loss on derivatives, net of tax	(3,345)	(3,345)					(3,345)
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	4,554	4,554					4,554
Assumption of noncontrolling interest	1,623							1,623
Balance at Feb. 29, 2012	$ 891,319	$ 890,080	$ 44,896	$ 421,762	$ 531,906	$ (91,048)	$ (17,436)	$ 1,239